Recovery procedure

Though the Owner Manuals for both of the two Dell machines I have (Inspiron 1520 and Dimension 4600) declare that it is posible to restore the complete system by using the Ctrl+F11 combination, that instruction doesn't work in any machine.

For the Inspiron 1520 (also the inspiron 1521 and others, is suposse), I found that it is necesary that first the F8 key be used to get the starting advanced options, and the be used the first option (Repair the system) to get into the program that recover the complete system to the factory initial configurations. It functions properly.

For the Dimension 4600 I couldn't find the correct way. The hard drive still homes the necesary partitions C:\ and hidden EISA Configuration (first 31 MB in the disk - FAT , 80 % free) and hidden correct unknown partition ( last 3.50 GB - Fat 32 , 65 % free). The Pre-post options F2 (to get into de Bios configuration) and F12 to get into the Boot Device menu (and here to boot to the Utility Partition , for instance) function properly. Could someone tell me how to recover this Dimension 4600 as the initial factory configuration?

HERE is the Dell reinstallation procedures (both options are listed) for XP. On systems with the Dell recovery partition (not all have that), you must enter the CTRL/F11 at initial boot up and before Windows starts.

Troubleshooting the Restore Process , however, in the Dan Goodell's article "Inside the Dell PC Restore Partition" helped me to recover the posibility to return my Dimension 4600 to its "as shipped" state. Now I have again this machine with the factory settings.